ruff
1
8.4
- noun
- /rʌf/
:
gorguera
- When she was done, she was dissatisfied with the curve of the neck and the angle of the beak, but she had the legs and the ruff of feathers at his crop and the look in his eye just right.
- ruff around the neck
- a ruff of fur
- a ruff of feathers
Examples
-
Absently, she patted the head and scratched the ruff of the wolf who had appeared beside her.
Fiction book (1990) -
She reached up and grabbed Wolf's ruff and pulled her fingers through his fur.
Fiction book (1990) -
A ruff of red hair stands straight up at the back of the large man's head.
Fiction book (1992) -
The ruff of fitr around her neck fans out like a collar.
Fiction book (2000) -
His ruff is white, like the collar of the church lady in the portrait above the mantel.
Fiction book (1992) -
The ruff of his beard rested above his chin.
Fiction book (1991) -
His black-tipped ruff was sensuous and thick, like a heavy rug.
Fiction book (1991) -
"How would you like to be a coombe?" The bird glared at Adam and lifted the ruff of feathers about its neck in a manner that left no doubt as to its refusal.
Fiction book (2002) -
I can see her now in my mind's eye, coming in from shopping in her grey and blue tweed coat, her rubber zippered boots with the ruff of fur around each ankle, her eyeglasses fogged from being out in the cold.
Fiction book (1995) -
The bird's distinctive ruff added to its majestic appearance during the mating season.
Synonyms
1
5.9
A ring of feathers or skin around an animal's neck used to show off and scare others
A high, stiff collar made of linen or lace worn around the neck
Compounds
How Prominent
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ruff meaning a fringe or growth around the neck is the same word as the collar ruff, so think of a natural 'frill' of feathers or hair that looks like a tiny collar and can keep an animal warm.